Wesley Willis

Wesley Willis was a schizophrenic street singer who built up a small cult following with his bizarre, three-chord rants about trivial everyday items, music, and people he knew. Willis was discovered singing on the streets of Chicago in the early '90s. For the first part of the decade, several independently released tapes of his songs appeared, eventually followed by indie recordings of his albums. By 1995, he had gained the attention of several well-known musicians, including Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam. Shortly before signing a major-label contract with American Records in 1996, Willis was profiled on MTV, which resulted in increased recognition in certain alternative rock circles. However, it didn't result in good sales, and both of his American Records of 1996 -- Fabian Roadwarrior (released in August) and Feel the Power (released in October) -- were flops. Black Light Diner appeared to little notice in 1997. And in mid-2000, Willis released Dr. Wax and Rush Hour. Shake Your Piggy Bank followed in early 2001. Willis was diagnosed with leukemia in 2002 and was recovering from surgery when he died at the age of 40 on August 21, 2003.~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Brett was a negative commenter on the Wesley Willis comment page. He was a downright lowlife m0th3rfcuker.He tried to bring down our harmony joyride. I'm Gonna break out his damned windshield. Brett is a jerk. Brett is a jerk. Brett is a jerk. Brett is a jerk.

Everyone on the Pandora comment page hated Brett. Nobody cared for his low down attitude. Wesley Willis was a goddamn genius. Now batman whoops Brett's a** I hell.

why do you guys pretend to like this guy? he should be in a mental institution. hes a fukin retard and so are all of you for listening.

6 years ago

warehouselove75

I actually lived in a guest house he stayed in years ago. It was strange knowing he had lived there. he was one of the most famous people that noone knew. Yet he would headline alternative music festivals. He is missed. Rest in peace and lick a cheetah's a**.

This brings back memories. Wesley used to hang out up in Green Bay, WI a lot in the early/mid nineties. He was the coolest, nicest guy ever. He greeted everyone with a friendly headbutt...so much so that he developed a permanent bruise on his forehead. He was one of the good ones!!! R.I.P. Wesley!!!

One night, while my friend John was living in Chicago, he received a phone call from Wesley Willis: "Hello, this is Wesley Willis. Have you heard of Wesley Willis and the Fiasco?" It was super late, and John had apparently never heard of the esteemed Mr. Willis, so he hung up. Wesley called back. And called back. And called back. He was going through THE ENTIRE CHICAGO PHONE BOOK doing this to everyone. RIP thug angel